State leaders tout tax cap, doubt NYSUT’s lawsuit threat

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and a Republican senator responded Friday to a threat from the state teachers’ union to sue the state over a property-tax cap.

New York State United Teachers President Richard Iannuzzi said Friday that the group was preparing to court to court over the 2 percent cap, which limits districts’ revenues. He said it widens the inequality gap between rich and poor districts.

A Cuomo spokesman responded, saying the tax cap has reined in New York’s property taxes, which are among the highest in the nation.

“Governor Cuomo’s tax cap has been an unqualified success that, as was reported yesterday, has kept property tax increases 40 percent lower than the average of the last 10 years,” said spokesman Richard Azzopardi in a statement. “Taxpayers simply can’t afford to go back to the bad old days and have New York continue to spend more money per student than any other state, while ranking 39th in high school graduation rates.”

He said: “This selfish move by this NYSUT boss shows once again how out of touch the teachers union bosses are, not only with the community but the rank and file members.

“This tax cap has already saved millions locally, bringing the statewide average levy increase a full point lower than last year, with over 95 percent of budgets being passed,” he continued. “This is a selfish move against the tax cap, a critical tool that is step one in keeping seniors, working families and young professionals in New York.”

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